Reader's Watchdog: More restaurants helping Gino's patrons

Feb. 8, 2013

Three more Des Moines restaurants will honor gift certificates from Gino’s, a Des Moines landmark that closed in January.

Linda Bisignano, owner of Chuck’s Italian-American Restaurant in the Highland Park neighborhood on Sixth Avenue, said her establishment will honor half the value of paper gift certificates from the old Gino’s location through April 30.

“I’m more than happy to do it,” she said. “Gino and I go way back, and we shared a lot of the same customers.”

John Moehle, an owner of Now or Later and Wedgewood Restaurant and Lounge in Des Moines, also offered to honor paper certificates at both his locations until April.

Their announcements came after The Des Moines Register Reader’s Watchdog challenged local restaurant owners to help stranded customers of Gino’s restaurants, which closed last month.

“I think it’s an unfortunate thing when a local restaurant goes under. Competition is good for the area,” Moehle said. “And I feel bad for people who bought gift certificates for Gino’s. So I thought I’d offer up a good dinner and maybe get some new business out of it as well.”

Moehle’s Wedgewood opened in August at East 26th Street and Euclid Avenue. The Now or Later is at 3750 E. University Ave.

Neither Bisignano nor Moehle plan to accept plastic gift cards from Gino’s at West Glen since they don’t know their value.

Partners in Baratta’s restaurant said Thursday they would honor half the value of paper gift certificates from the Gino’s location on Sixth Avenue in Des Moines and offer a 25 percent discount for people who had computer gift cards from the Gino’s location in West Des Moines.

The discounts will last for three months at Baratta’s primary location, 2320 S. Union St.

The owners are unable to honor other promotional offers, such as Groupons.

Gino’s West Glen restaurant closed last month, just weeks after the original location on Sixth Avenue in Des Moines shuttered.

Lee Rood’s Reader’s Watchdog column helps Iowans get answers and accountability from public officials, the justice system, businesses and nonprofits. Contact her at lrood@dmreg.com or by calling 515-284-8549. Read past reports at DesMoinesRegister.com/ReadersWatchdog.